Drew 2 deer tags - Antlerless and Quality

[Dutch Oven]

Had the fortune of drawing 2 deer tags yesterday - Quality and Antlerless.  Am I stuck eating the points on the antlerless tag (7 points) or will WDFW take it back and return my points?  I'm super excited about the Quality hunt opportunity, but I'd sure like to preserve my points for a hunt that I won't be doing.  Does anyone have any experience with this?  I'm not too optimistic about getting my points back to be honest.

[bobcat]

Yes you can return it and have points restored. See page 16 under General Information.

[deer_hnter]

You’re hosed on the antlerless points. I went through this same thing several years ago. Congrats on the successful draws, though!

[deer_hnter]

Yes you can return it and have points restored. See page 16 under General Information.

I stand corrected; this must be a change in the last few years. A good one at that.

[dvolmer]

Yes you can return it and have points restored. See page 16 under General Information.

I stand corrected; this must be a change in the last few years. A good one at that.

it is a change that happened I think in 2021 or 2022. In 2020 I drew my Bull elk tag and my cow tag and had to eat it. I think it was the next year that they changed it. My buddy drew his bull tag last year and a cow tag and he was able to return the cow tag.

[jameshuntz]

You can return a tag and get your points restored up until 2 weeks before hunt

[Bob33]

Here is the entire WAC on points and permits: https://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=220-412-080

(h) If for any reason a successful applicant chooses not to participate in the hunt, they are eligible for point restoration. The successful applicant seeking point restoration must return the special hunting season permit to the department of fish and wildlife Olympia headquarters two weeks before the opening day of the special hunting season so it can be reissued. The applicant's points will be restored to the level prior to the permit drawing.

[Alan K]

Yep, just turn it back in and get your points back.

No reason anyone should put in for points only now, further tanking draw odds.